1867 John Adams Bolen Store Card, Without Signature. Musante JAB-24, Rulau Ma-Sp 44. Copper. MS-65 BN (NGC).Deep steel-brown surfaces appear uniform at first glance, but upon closer examination they come to life with mottled rose, blue-green and gold toning. This is a bit richer on the reverse. A little subdued by some natural surface oil, but quite nice with just a couple of small obverse marks noted. This is apparently a second attempt at a personal 1867 store card for Bolen, without his signature beneath his portrait, a design feature of JAB-24a which was admittedly redundant. It is believed that just 14 were struck in copper, and his personal example at the ANS is marked on the edge as such. Bolens notebook, which had entries for both 1867 card types, indicated a mintage of three in silver, 14 in copper, one in tin and one in brass. We have seen two in brass, but only four in copper, in addition. As usual, Bolens notes seem imprecise, but the appearances suggest they are not far off.From the Claremont Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Ralph A. Edson Collection, Spring 2019 Baltimore Auction, March, lot 44.
